Citation :
MP3 Firmware Support Combined with PC & Consumer S/PDIF Capabilities Enables Digital Audio/Video Receivers to Playback Internet Audio Content
FREMONT, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 17, 2000-- Expanding on its leadership position as the world's largest supplier of audio chips(1), Cirrus Logic Inc. (Nasdaq:CRUS) today announced MP3 firmware support for its new multi-standard, multi-channel Crystal® audio decoder (CS49326).
As a result, consumer electronics manufacturers using this chip solution can easily add Internet audio playback capabilities to digital audio/video receivers targeted at the home theater market.
``Market leadership means pioneering new directions,'' said Terry Ritchie, vice president of consumer marketing for Cirrus Logic's Crystal Audio Products Division. ``Imagine listening to a live MP3-linked concert in your family room!'' He confirmed that the technology to link a PC or set-top box to a digital audio/video receiver via a standard S/PDIF cable is here.
``By providing MP3 firmware support in our new consumer audio DSP decoders, MP3 audio content can now be transferred by the PC or set-top box from the Internet to the audio/video receiver via SPDIF output where it is auto-detected and played back from the digital audio/video receiver, bringing the future of music, Internet audio, into the home theater market.''
Convergence Catalyst
As the largest supplier of computer audio chips, coupled with its position as the largest supplier of multi-standard DSPs for audio/video receivers, Cirrus Logic is poised to be a catalyst in the convergence of PCs and home theater systems.
``When we announced the first computer audio codec with S/PDIF output in 1997, the convergence link between the PC or set-top box and the home theater audio/video receiver was born,'' said Ritchie. ``However, up until recently, the industry had failed to give the consumer a compelling reason to link their PC to their home theater system. Now, with the advent of Internet audio the compelling reason for convergence has emerged and we plan to be the company that enables the audio convergence.''
MP3 For Home Theater
The Crystal CS49326 decoder is a pin-function-compatible superset of its successful CS4926 and CS4925 predecessors, currently used by 7 out of the top 10 audio/video receiver manufacturers. Superior to competitive offerings, the CS49326 is manufactured in 0.25-micron standard CMOS, providing 40% more MIPS and larger on-chip RAM and ROM than its predecessors.
The CS49326 is equipped with on-chip firmware support for Dolby Digital AC-3 and Digital Theater Sound (DTS). Thus, in addition to the on-chip standards support, manufacturers can quickly and easily download new standards such as MP3 and Circle Surround.
Convergence Interface
In addition to providing MP3 support in its new consumer audio DSP, Cirrus Logic also serves this market with a new S/PDIF receiver (CS8415A). The CS8415A is the industry's first S/PDIF receiver to integrate a 7-to-1 input multiplexer, saving system designers as much as 30% in external circuitry.
The 7-to-1 S/PDIF receiver enables 7 different digital consumer devices, including mini disc, DVD, CD, Laser Disc and digital audio tape players as well as set-top boxes and PCs, to be plugged into a CS8415A-based audio/video receiver.
PCs & Set-Top Boxes Are Critical Access Devices
Since consumer audio/video receivers are not yet equipped with Internet access capabilities, PCs and set-top boxes will play a critical enabling role in audio convergence. Cirrus Logic's latest Crystal computer audio codec (CS4298) with S/PDIF output provides both audio and modem capabilities, making it ideal for cost-sensitive devices that deliver information access such as PCs and set-top boxes.
Price & Availability
The Crystal MP3 DSP audio firmware is production-ready and can be downloaded by the manufacturer into any of Cirrus Logic's programmable audio DSPs. The new CS49326 is Cirrus Logic's latest multi-standard, programmable audio DSP. It has built-in support for AC-3 and Digital Theater Sound (DTS) and download support for MPEG Multi-Channel, MP3, SRS Circle Surround as well as many other DSP firmware features.
The CS49326 is in volume production now and is priced at $16.50 each in quantities of 10,000 units. The CS8415A S/PDIF receiver is now sampling with volume production scheduled for calendar Q1 of 2000 and is priced at $3.00 each in quantities of 10, 000 units. The CS4298 computer audio codec plus modem is in production now and is priced at $3.50 in quantities of 10,000 units.
Cirrus Logic Inc.
Cirrus Logic is a premier supplier of high performance analog and advanced mixed-signal chip solutions. The company's products, sold under its own name and the Crystal product brand, enable system-level applications in mass storage, audio and precision data conversion. Additional information about Cirrus Logic is available at www.cirrus.com.
(1) According to the Forward Concepts' The Convergence of Audio report
(2) See related releases: Cirrus Logic Supports Advanced Surround Sound Technology Ushering in New Era of Multi-Channel Audio Realism & Cirrus Logic Converts Audio/Video Receiver Into Internet Player
Note to Editors: Cirrus Logic and Crystal are registered trademarks of Cirrus Logic Inc. All other product names noted herein may be trademarks of their respective holders
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